The wounds of a friend. Those hurt the worst.

• All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. ... Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. (Psalm 41:7, 9 ESV)

It is a struggle when someone hurts us and sins against us. In November we practiced the difficult challenge of thanking God for the sins others have committed against us. There’s no reason to sugarcoat it. That was HARD.

I’d prefer to remind the Lord of the offenses, just in case He needs help with retribution. But thanking Him transforms my anger and pain into expectant hope. What will the Lord do with this stinky situation? I don’t know, but I can trust His redemption to work.

Immanuel: With Us

In this Christmas season I am reminding myself that the God who descended to take on flesh and endured more sin against Him than I can imagine is WITH me. Immanuel never leaves my side.

And He understands the pain.

• For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ... When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21, 23 ESV)

He was falsely accused. Betrayed. Beaten. Reviled. Hated.

When He stands with us as we endure others sins against us, it is with full understanding.

The precious cherub with the rosy cheeks and gleaming halo resting in the manger scenes grew into a man who wore a crown of thorns and endured the betraying kiss of a friend.

Whatever pain you carry from past hurts that others have perpetrated against you, not only can you audaciously thank Jesus for those, you can also, at the same time, rest in His understanding arms.

Take Your Hurts to the Manger

Jesus surrounds us as others come against us. We’re not alone. We rest in the Hands that hold and help us.

• I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2 ESV)

What do you need help with? God is WITH you to help and protect.

• He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3 ESV)

Our gentle, suffering Savior is WITH us in everything.